Over 80% of IT managers think that enterprises with a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy hold a competitive advantage over other organisations, according to new research
The research, commissioned by BT, surveyed attitudes towards employees use of their own laptops, tablets and smartphones for work and covered 2,000 IT users and IT managers in 11 countries and from a range of sectors.
It suggests that BYOD has “arrived” and that over four in five companies say they already allow BYOD or will to within the next 24 months. About 60% of employees claim they are already allowed to connect personally-owned devices to the corporate network, the survey said.
The study reveals that both employees and decision makers are positive about the opportunities presented by the growing use of personal devices on corporate networks. It says 64 % of IT managers think that having a BYOD policy will enable employees to be more productive, while 48% think it will also allow employees to work more flexibly and 47% think it will enable employees to serve customers better.
This sentiment is shared by employees with 42% of employees using their own device for work believing that they are more efficient and productive as a result.
Despite these benefits IT managers are nervous. Only one in ten think that all BYOD users recognise the risks and less than one in five believe all users understand the access/permissions related to their mobile devices. And it appears IT managers are nervous with some justification.
“There is no denying it. The BYOD genie is out of the bottle bringing with it unprecedented opportunities for enterprises but also new threats. The new perimeter is everywhere, defined by employee-owned devices, clouds, and extranets. The risk of abuse and attack has multiplied along with this massive expansion,” said Neil Sutton, VP for global portfolio at BT Global Services.